Chhattisgarh CM questions UPA intent on food security

Raipur: Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said Chhattisgarh had become the first Indian state in country to have a legislation on right to food for its citizens while a similar bill was pending before the Congress-led UPA central government for a long time.

"Chhattisgarh has drafted and adopted the Food Security Bill with courage and guts while the central government is still battling to make it a law," said Raman Singh, who is heading the BJP government in the state since December 2003, in his reply to the discussion on vote of thanks on governor's address.

The state Assembly passed the vote of thanks by voice vote on Monday evening.

Singh said that Chhattisgarh Food Security Bill makes food a legal right for 42 lakh poor families in the state.

Singh said that Chhattisgarh Food Security Bill, which has been made an act after the state Assembly unanimously passed it in December 2012, makes food a legal right for 42 lakh poor families in the state.

Countering Congress' charges, Singh said that his government has successfully implemented development schemes which was evident of massive rise in per capita income in the state which has gone up to Rs 46,743 in 2012 from Rs 11,000 in 2003.